Printing machine



Marr. 6, 1923.

W. M. BACON PRINTING MACHINE 1921 2 sheets-sheet l Filed Oct lO Mar. 6, 1923. ily/@47,334

W. M. BACON PRINTING MACHINE Filed Oct. lO, l92l` 2 sheets-sheet 2 u umlllllljllliiiimmHummlllllllllllllllllllll! WILLIAM BACON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO E. S. i ILLINOIS.

PRINTING MACHINE.

Application led October 10, 1921. Serial No. 506,628.

To all whom z't may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM' M. BACON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, C'ook Count Illinois, have invented a new and useful mprovement in Printing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to printing machines.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved printing machine of the type I adapted to print on large, flat and plane surfaces, comprisin a form impression cylinder for supportlng the forms and arranged to receive paint from an approprlate palnt applying device, and a. novel work conveyor for conveying the work to the form impression cylinder and for discharging the work after the impressions have been made.

Another object of the invention is to pro-- vide a machine of the character mentioned, including a novel form of conveyor for the work, and means for effectively and convenientl controlling the conveyor.

Ot er objects will appear from the following description, reference' being made to the drawings in which- F'ig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine with parts of the framing broken away to disclose operative structure.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed view showing the construction and arrangement of one of the work grippers.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the clutch device for holding the form impression cylinder in proper adjustment.

In the embodiment of the invention shown the frame 1 is provided with standards orI brackets 2 for supporting the axial shaft 3 of the form impression cylinder 4. The forms may be applied or secured to the form cylinder in any known or approved manner.

The form cylinder is mounted on the axial shaft 3 and may be retained in different adjusted positions thereon by the clamp or clutch devices shown. As shown (Fig. 4) a gear wheel 5 at one end of the form cylinder has a clutch portion 6 adapted to engage a clutch member 7 rigid with the axial shaft 3. The end of the shaft 3 has a threaded hole therein receiving the threaded end 'of a screw clamp 8. The washer 9 is supported by the screw clamp 8 and is held from turnthe e of the shaft 3. A Harige 1l on the screw clamp 8 prevents the pins 10 from workmg out. A hand wheel 12 on the outer end of the screw clamp 8 constitutes means The frame supports a pair of track meni4 bers forming tracks for the endless chains. A drive shaft 14'is supported at one end of the tracks and has a pair of sprocket wheels 15 thereon. A shaft 16 is supported by `the frame at the opposite end of the tracks and" has a pair of sprocket wheels 17 thereon. The .wheels 15 and 17 are in alinement with the track members 13,' respectively.

A carriervfor the work includes a pair of endless chains mounted on the tracks and around the wheels 15 and 17. As shown, each chain is of double formation comprising two series of links 18, the links ofeach series' being united to the other series of links by pivot or hinge pins 19 having rollers 2O thereon separating the series of linksv and operating on the track members 13 and the wheels 15 and 17. At proper intervals an inner link of each chain is formed With an arm 21. The link of each chain carrying the arm 21 supportsan angular bracket 22. The bracket 22 on each chain is in line with the bracket 22. on the other chain, thus forming pairs of brackets. Each pair of brackets 22 has aplate 23 secured thereto for sup-- portin the work. The feeding-in end of each p ate 23 has an abutment 24 thereon for the forward edge of the work sheet. A gripper device is pivotally supported by each of the plates 23. As shown, each gripper device includes a plate 25 pivotally supported .by a hinge 26 .above the plate 23 and having a down-turned fiange 27 for engagthe work upon the plate 23.

KYLE, or unicaen, i

ing by (pins 10 engaging in the washer and in k BE f A spring 28 located between the plate 23 and the plate 25 iseii'ective to press the plate 25 to clamp the edge 27 thereof upon the work with suflicient pressureI to convey or carry the work along with the conveyor.

At the feeding-in end of the machine a pair of brackets 29 are attached to the side members of the frame. Each of said brackets is provided` with a slotI comprising a horizontal portion 30, the short upwardlyextended portion 31 toward the feeding-in end of the 'machine, and the longer upturned portions 32 at their inner ends. A shaft 33 has its ends extending into the slots in the two brackets 29. A roller 34 is on the shaft 33 between the conveyor chains and is normally held in the outer Llp-turned ends 31 of the slots into which the ends of the shaft extend. A pair of links 35 have their outer ends pivoted to the shaft 33 and their inner ends pivoted to upwardly extending arms 36 attached to a shaft 37. A weight 38 is supported by an arm att-ached to the shaft 37 and is sufficient to actuate the shaft 33 into the up-turned ends 31 of the slots that guide the shaft. As the conveyor travels around, the upper portion thereof moving to the right as seen in Fig. 1, the upper end of the plate 25 passes under the roll 34 after which the projections 21 on the conveyor chains engage the shaft 33 and move said shaft from the up-turned portions 31 of the guide slots into the horizontal portions 30 thereof, thus raising the end of the plate 25 to lift the flange 27 thereof to the position shown in Fig. 2. This permits the edge of the work, comprising mat board or the like, to be inserted between the flange 25 and the plate 23 into contact with the abutment 24. The projections 21 continue to move the shaft 33 until said shaft is raised into the 11p-turned portions 32 of the guide slots above said projections 21, permitting the'latter to pass under the shaft and permitting the springv28 to actuate the gripper plate to grip the work. The work will then be carried along by the conveyor under the' form cylinder against which the work will be held by a compression cylinder 39.

The compression cylinder 39 is supported 'on a horizontal shaft 40 in vertically adjustable bearings 41. The bearings 41 are mounted in guides 42. The bearings 41 are supported by toggle devices comprising pivotally united links 43, the lower ends of the lower links being pivoted to blocks 44' adjustably supported by screw bolts 45 operating in the machine frame. By raising or lowering the blocks 44 the compression cylinder 39 may be raised or lowered. Also, by breaking the toggle on the links 43 the compression roller may be lowered.

The pivots uniting the toggle links 43 have links 46 connected therewith. The opposite endsof the links 46 are connected to arms .47 attached to a shaft 48 to which a lever 49 is connected for manipulating the toggle.

' The work is moved by the conveyor in the manner described over the compression cylinder and under the form cylinder. At the opposite or feeding-out end of the machine the gripper device is released to discharge the work. The feeding-out end of the machine supports a pair of brackets 50 having guide slots .therein similar to the guide slots in the brackets 29. The guide slots in the brackets 50 include horizontal portions 51, short up-turned portions 52 at the inner ends of the horizontal portions, and relatively long up-turned portions 53 at the outer ends of the horizontal portions. A shaft 54 operates in the slots just described and has a roller 55 thereon, like the roller 34. Links 56 have their outer ends pivoted to the shaft 54 and their inner ends l pivoted to upwardly extending arms 57 attached to a shaft 58. A weight 59 in connection with the shaft 58 is effective to actuate the connections described in order to retain the shaft 54 normally in the upturned portions 52 at the inner ends of the guide slots.

When the upper ends of the plate 25 pass under the roller 55 the gripper plate is released from the work. Next the projections 21 engage the shaft 54 and actuate said shaft along the guide slots and into the upturned portions 53 of said slots, permitting the gripper mechanism to pass thereunder after work has been released and after the gripper mechanism has passed beyond the work. As the next gripper device comes along a projection 60 (Fig. 2) thereon contacts with the work and pushes it along to discharge it from the machine.

A drive shaft 14 is provided with a pulley or wheel 61 having a driving connection 62 connected with the pulley 63 on a shaft 64. The shaft 64 is driven from a motor 65 by driving connections 66.

The paint is applied to the forms on the form cylinder automatically as an incident to the operation of the machine. The brackets 2 support extensions 67 in which a sha-ft 68 is journaled. The shaft 68 is rotated by the form cylinder by gearing 69.

Swinging members 70 are supported by the Y tionar part 76 permitting the rod 74 to be 'incassa What I claim and desire vto secure by' 1. -A machine of the character `described, comprising a pair of endless chains forining a conveyor, tracks upon which the chains operate, s rocket wheels for operating the chains, p ates for supporting the Work, gripper plates for grip ing the work on e the supporting plates, evices A:for raising the gripper lates to permit insertion'ofvthe Work, and e ements operated bythe chains for moving said devices out of engagement with the gripper plates.

2. A machine of the character described,

i comprising a, pair ofend'less chains formplates, devices for raising the gripper plates ing a conveyor, sprocket wheels for operating the chains, plates supportedA by the chains for supporting the Work, gripper plates pivotally supported above said plates for gripping the vvork on the supporting to permit insertion of the Work, and elements operated by the chains for moving vsaid devices to position to permit the grips per plates to engage the Work.

3. A machine of the character described, comprising a pair of endless chains forming a conveyor, sprocket Wheels for operating the chains, a plate supported bythe chains for supporting the work, a gripper plate pivotedv above the supporting ,plate for gripping the Work on the supporting plate, a i device for engaging and moving the gripper plate to position to permit insertion of the work between the gripper plate and the supporting plate, and means operated by the chains for'moving said device out of engagement With the gripper plate.

4. A machine of the character described, comprising a pair of endless chains forming a conveyor, sprocket Wheels for operatingv the chains, a gripper for gripping the Work in connection with the chains, a device for opening the gripper for engagement with thework, means operated by the chains for moving said devce to position to permit the gripper to engage the work, another device for opening the gripper to release the Work also movable to position by said means to permit the gripper to close after the Work has been released,'a form impression cylinder supported above the chains, and a coinpression cylinder for supporting the work as the work is moved under vthe form cylinder.

5. A machine of the character described,

comprising a pairof endless chains forming. a conveyor, sprocket wheelsy for operatin the chains, a gripper for gripping the wor in connection with the chains, a device for o ening the gripper for en agement with t ework, means operated by t e chains for moving said device to position to per-y mit the tgripper to engage the work, another device or opening the gripper to release the work also movable to position by said means to ermit the grip er to close after the work lli) a compression c linder for su porting the work as the wor is moved under the form cylinder, and a device for` supporting the compression cylinder in selected adjusted positions relative'to the form cylinder.

6. A machine of the character described, comprising a pair of endless chains forming a conveyor, sprocket wheels for operating the chains, a, gripper for gripping the work in connection with the chains, a device for opening the gripper for engagement with the work, means operated by the chains for moving said device to position to permit the gripper to engage the work, another device for opening the gripper to release the Work also movable to position by said means to permit the gripper to close after the work hasy been released, a form impression cylinder supported above the chains, a compression cylinder for supporting the work as the, work ismoved under the form cylinder, a device for supporting the compression cylinder, and means co-operating 'with 4said device to support vthe compression cylinder in as been release a form impression cylinder supported abovel the chains,

diierent adjusted positions relative to the form impression cylinder.

7. A machine of the character described, comprising a pair of endless chains forining'a conveyor, sprocket Wheels for operating the chains, a gripper for gripping the Work in connection With'the chains, a device for opening the gripper for engagement with the work, means operated by the chains for moving said device to position to permit the grippe-r to engagethe Work, another device for opening the gripper to release the Work also movable to position b said means to permit the gripper to close a er the Work has been released, a form. impression cyl inder supported above the chains, a compression Icylinder for supporting the Work as the Work is moved under the form cylinder, a'device for supporting the compression cylinder, means co-operating with said device to support the compression cylinder in dierent adjusted positions relative to the form impression cylinder, and me'iins for operating said device to move the compression cylmder toward and away from the form cylinder. Y

8. In a machine of the character described, a form impression cylinder, a pair of endless chains forming a conveyor for moving the work to and from the form im pression cylinder, a support for the work operated by said chains, a gripper plate p lvoted on said support, a spring for actuating the gripper 44plate to position to grip the work on the support, an element for releasing the gripper plate from the work, a vdevice for holding said element in positlon to engage the gripper plate to release the gripper plate from the work, and means supported and operated by the chains for moving said device out of engagement with the grlpper plate to permit the gripper plate to close.

9. In a machine of the character decribed, a form impression cylinder, a compression cylinder below the form impression cylinder, means for supporting one of said,

cylinders in different adjusted positions relative to the other, a pair of endless chains, mechanism for operating said chains to move the work between said cylinders, a support for the work operated by said chains, a gripper plate pivoted on said support for holding the work on the support, a device for actuating the gripper plate to position to hold the work on the support, a device for releasing the gripper plate from the work, and means supported and operated by the chains for moving said element to position to release the gripper plate.

10. In a machineof the character described, a form impression cylinder, a com- .pression cylinder below the form impression cylinder, means for supportlng one of said cylinders in different adjusted positions relative to the other, a pair of endless chains, mechanism for operating said chains to move the work between said cylinders, a support for the work operated by said chains, a gripper plate pivoted on said support for holding the work on the support, a device for actuating the gripper plate to position to hold the work on the support, an element supported independently of the chains for moving the gripper plate to position to permit the work to be passed between the gripper plate and the supporting plate, and means supported and operated by the chains for controlling said element to permit the gripper plate to engage the work.

11. In a machine of the character described, a form impression cylinder, a compression cylinder below the vform impression cylinder, means for supporting one of said cylinders in di'erent adjusted positions relative to the other, a pair of endless chains, mechanism for operating said chains to move the work between said cylinders, a support for the work operated by said chains, a gripper plate pivoted on said support for holding the work on the support, a device for actuating the gripper plate to position to hold the work on the support, an element supported independently of the chains for moving the gripper plate to position to permit the work to be passed between the gripper plate and the supporting plate, means supported and operated by the chains for controlling-said element to permit the gripper plate to engage the work, and an element supported independently of the chainsv for releasing the gripper plate from the work to permit the work to be discharged from the machine. l

12. In a machine of the character described, aform impression cylinder, a compression cylinder below the form impression lcylinder means for supporting one of said c `linders in different adjusted positions re ative to the'other, a pair of endless chains, mechanism for operating said chains to move the work between said cylinders, a support for the Work operated by said chain, a gripper plate pivoted on said support for holdlng the work'on the support, a device for Iactuating the gripper plate to position to hold the work on the support, an element for moving the gripper plate to position to permit the work to be passed b'etween the gripper plate and the supporting plate, means for controlling said element to permit the gripper plate to engage the work, an element for releasing the grip-- per plate from the work to permit the work to be discharged from the machine, and means operated by the chains for controlling said element. I

13. In a machine of the character described, a form impression cylinder, a compression cylinder, mechanism for supporting the compression cylinder in different adjusted positions relative to the form impression cylinder, a pair of endless chains forming a conveyor for moving the work between said cylinders, ya supporting element in connection with said chains, a gripper plate supported by said supporting element for holding the work on the supportin element, a device supported independent y of the chains for moving the gripper plate to position to permit insertion of the work, a device supported independently o the chains for moving the gripper plate to position to release the work, and means supported and operated by t-he chains for moving said firstnamed device to position to permit the per plate to engage the work after the work has been inserted and for moving the second-named device to position to permit the gripper plate to close after the work has been released.

14. In a machine of the character described, a form impression cylinder, ba compression cylinder, mechanism for supportgril.

ing the compression cylinder in dierent adjusted positions relative to the form imression cylinder, a pair of endless chains forming a conveyor for moving the work between said cylinders, a supporting element in connection with said chains, a gripper plate supported by said supporting element for holding the work on the supporting element, a device 'for moving the gripper plate to position to permit insertion of the work, a device for moving the gripper plate to position to release the work, and means operated by the chains controlling said devices.

15. In a machine of the character described, a `pair of endless chains forming a conveyor, mechanism for. operating said chains, a supporting plate carried by said chains, a gripper plate for holding the Work onthe supporting plate, a device for operating the gripper plate to position to hold the vworlron the supporting plate, a roller for raising the gripper platefrom the supporting plate, and means operated by the chains for releasing the roller from the gripper plate to permit the gripper plate to engage the work.'

16. In a machine of the character described, apairof endless chains forming a conveyor, means for operating saidI chains, a gripping device'on the chains for engaging and holding the work, a roller for opening the gri ping device to permit insertionf the wor means for holding the roller in position toengage and to open the gripping device to permit insertion of the work, and means operated by the chains for moving said roller to position to disengage the gripping device.

17. In a machine of the character described, a pair of endless .chains forming a conveyor, a gripper on the chains' for gripping the work, supports having slots therein, a shaft mounted in said slots, a roller on said shaft .for engaging and opening the gripper to permit insertion of the work, and

means operated byv the chains for moving said roller to releasethe gripper.

18. In a machine of the character described, a pair of endless chains forming a conveyor, a device operated by the chains for engaging and holding the work, an element for engaging said device to release the work, means operated by the chains for moving said element to position to releasev said device, and'means for returning said element to position to engage said device.

19. In a machine of the character described, a pair of endless chains forming a conveyor, mechanism for operating said chains, a support for the work operated by said chains, a gripper plate pivoted on said support for holding the work on the support, a device for actuating'the gripper plate to position to holdthe work on the support, an element for moving the gripper plate to position to permit the Work to1 be passed between-the gripper plate and the supporting plate, means supported and operated by the chains for moving said element to position to permit the gripper plate to engage the Work after the vWork has been passed between the gripper plate and the supporting plate', and means for returning said element to position to move the gripper plate to permit the work to be passed between the gripper plate and the supporting plate.

20. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor for the work, a gripper device on the conveyor for holding the work in connection with the conveyor, elements having slots therein and the slots having their ends extending upwardly from the conveyor, a shaft extending in said slots, a ro ler on said shaft for opening the gripper device, and means for moving said shaft .into the upwardly extending ends of said' slots to permit the gripper device to engage the work.

21. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor for the work, a gripper device on the conveyor for holding the Work in connection with the conveyor, elements having slots therein and the slots having their ends extending upwardly from the conveyor, a shaft extending in said slots, a roller on said shaft for opening the gripper device, means for moving said shaft into the upwardly extending ends of said slots to permit the gripper device to engage the work, and means for actuating said shaft toward the other ends of said slots to position again to open the gripper device. 22. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor for the work, a gripper device on the conveyor for holding the work in connection with the conveyor, elements having slots therein and the slots having .their ends extending upwardly from the conveyor, a shaft extending in said slots, a roller on said shaft for opening the gripper device, means for moving said shaft into the upwardly extending ends of said slots to permit the gripper device to engage the work, and means for opening the gripper device to release the work.

23. In a machine of the character described, a conveyor for the work, a gripper device on the conve-yor for holding the work in connectionwith the conveyor, elements having slots therein and the slots having their ends extending upwardly from the conveyor, a shaft extending in said slots, a roller on said shaft for opening the gripper device, means for moving said shaft into the upwardly extending ends of said slots to permit the gripper device to engage the Work, means for actuating said shaft toward the other ends of said slots to position again to open the gripper device, and means for opeiliing the gripper device to release the wor 24. In a machine of the character described, a pair of endless chains forming'a conveyor. and cach chain comprising two spaced series of links; pivots uniting the links ot' each series and also uniting each series of links with the other series of links ot' the chain; rollers on said pivots; a track on which each chain operates; sprocket wheels ut the ends of said tracks engaging the chains to operate the same; a gripper device supported by said chains for engaging und holdimr the work; a form impression cylinder for operating on the work; and means controlled by the chains for operating said gripper device to engage and to release the Work.

25. In a machine of the character' described, a conveyor for the work, a gripper device for holding the Work in connection with the conveyor, an element for opening the Gripper device .to permit insertion of the work, means operated by the Conveyor to control said element, and brackets having slots therein for guiding said element.

26. ln a machine ot' the character described, a conveyor', a gripper device in connection with the conveyor for holding the work, brackets having slots Whose opposite ends extend upwardly from the conveyor,

a shaft extending into the 11p-turned ends of the slots toward the feedingin end of the conveyor, a roller on said shaft for opening the gripper device to'perrnit insertion of the work, and means operated by the conveyor for actuatingr said roller to move said shaft into the u -turned ends of the slots away from the eeding-in end of the conveyor to position to permit the gripper device to close.

WILLIAM M. BACON. 

